Escolar Documentos
Profissional Documentos
Cultura Documentos
No. 02-4674
COUNSEL
Gregory M. Courtright, COLLINS & COURTRIGHT, Charleston,
West Virginia, for Appellant. Kasey Warner, United States Attorney,
Steven I. Loew, Assistant United States Attorney, Charleston, West
Virginia, for Appellee.
OPINION
PER CURIAM:
Jerry Wayne Breeden appeals his conviction for possession of a
stolen firearm in violation of 18 U.S.C. 922(j) (2000), and possession of a firearm after a felony conviction in violation of 18 U.S.C.
922(g)(1) (2000). On appeal, Breeden contends that there was insufficient evidence to find him guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Finding no reversible error, we affirm.
We must uphold Breedens conviction on appeal if there is substantial evidence in the record to support it. See Glasser v. United States,
315 U.S. 60, 80 (1942). In determining whether the evidence in the
record is substantial, we view the evidence in the light most favorable
to the government and inquire whether there is evidence that a reasonable finder of fact could accept as adequate and sufficient to support
a conclusion of a defendants guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. United
States v. Burgos, 94 F.3d 849, 862 (4th Cir. 1996) (en banc). To convict Breeden of possession of a stolen firearm, the Government was
required to prove that Breeden knowingly possessed a stolen firearm
that had been shipped or transported in interstate or foreign commerce. See 18 U.S.C. 922(j). To convict Breeden of possession of
a firearm after a felony conviction, the Government had to prove that
Breeden: (1) previously had been convicted of a crime punishable by
a term of imprisonment exceeding one year; (2) knowingly possessed
the firearm; and (3) the possession was in or affected commerce,
because the firearm had traveled in or affected interstate commerce.
United States v. Langley, 62 F.3d 602, 606 (4th Cir. 1995) (en banc).
Breeden stipulated that the 30.06 caliber rifle recovered by police
was a firearm and that he had been convicted of a felony and had not
had his right to own or possess a firearm restored. Furthermore, Breeden concedes on appeal that the rifle was manufactured outside of
West Virginia and therefore had traveled in interstate commerce, and
he does not contest that the firearm was stolen. Thus, the only issue
is whether Breeden knowingly possessed the firearm. We have
reviewed the record and conclude that there was sufficient evidence
from which the jury could find that Breeden knowingly possessed a